The stats are in, and the UK public is saying NO to live reindeer events!

For many years now, Animal Aid has worked alongside our colleagues at Freedom for Animals, Born Free Foundation, and OneKind to address the problem of live reindeer being used as props and attractions at Christmas events. It is an enormous problem that sees hundreds of events that force reindeer to endure cramped transit conditions, followed by sustained exposure to chaotic and distressing event environments, and even forced public contact. Our work bears witness to their suffering and actively stands against it, and it’s proving to be effective year after year. 

The campaign in numbers 

In 2025 we monitored over 600 events taking place nationwide to see if they were exhibiting any live animals. Many of these were events we’d contacted in previous years with a joint letter about reindeer displays, urging them to stop. This year’s joint letter was signed by 35 different animal protection organisations and experts and went out to 315 events that we suspected of planning a live reindeer display. This was all made possible by our incredible supporters. Over the course of the year, we received 131 reports from the public of advertised reindeer displays, allowing us to contact the organisers directly. By the time we reached Christmas day 180 events had hosted live reindeer displays. On average, each event meant a round trip by road of over 120 miles for the animals, just to be put on show for profit. 

Constantly held with harnesses and reins, Dasher and Vixen were observed on display in a rainy pub beer garden in Manchester. 

Are things really getting better? 

180 reindeer events is, of course, too many, and we still have an incredible amount of work to do to get that number down to zero. But we are having a clear impact with this campaign. We used the same approach last year, and 47 of the 146 events that used live animals in 2024 didn’t in 2025! That’s 31% of events choosing a kinder option for their celebrations. As well as this, we’ve looked back at our work since 2018 and identified that 59% of the events that we know to have displayed live animals in that time didn’t in 2025. That’s 340 instances of animals being spared the stress and the indignity of being used as decoration, or playthings. Kinder Christmases are happening across the country, and we will be working tirelessly again in 2026 to spread them even further. 

What does a kinder Christmas really look like? 

Every year when we contact events who are planning to display live reindeer, we suggest alternatives to using animals. This year, however, what has really stood out is that our suggestions are nothing compared to the talent, imagination, and dedication of communities in every corner of the country. Amongst the hundreds of events that have chosen animal-free celebrations, we were amazed and humbled by the ways in which people came together during the festive season to celebrate without exploiting anyone. 

In previous years Animal Aid has campaigned against Dover Council hosting a live reindeer event. This year there was none scheduled, and their lantern parade was spectacular – a win for reindeer and the local community!

In previous years Animal Aid has campaigned against Dover Council hosting a live reindeer event. This year there was none scheduled, and their lantern parade was spectacular – a win for reindeer and the local community! 

Technology has played a huge part in improving Christmas events: from the care home that opted to take its residents out to be delighted by animatronic reindeer, to the garden centre that amazed children with its virtual reality sleigh ride, to the shopping centre that hired a life-size animatronic polar bear called Bjorn. There were also wonderful examples of simple, traditional, but nonetheless awe-inspiring performances. Lantern parades have become an increasingly popular fixture in many towns and cities, some of them huge with multiple people operating them, in the shapes of owls, bears, and a variety of other animals. Let’s not forget the heartwarming performances of school choirs, many of which we’ve seen brighten the days of care home residents who had had a reindeer visit in previous years. 

What next? 

For most of the country, a kinder Christmas isn’t just the future, it’s the present. Communities are already celebrating with compassion and respect. We will be here in 2026 to support those stuck in the past and still hiring animals to embrace a better future, for themselves and for animals.